Most GPS units come with software so you can save your track logs, weigh points etc.

Each year I mark every trail, rub, scrape, deer sightings, etc. that I find and save these weigh points with a "type" indicator (R=rub, S=scrpe, etc), a consecutive number, and a "Year" indicator in the weighpoint name. Example: R23-04. When I upload these to the computer I save them in separate files by Type & Year.

The payback?

1) When you open multiple years of rubs, scrapes, etc. and view them all at the same time, you will start to see patterns that may not have been apparent when just looking at the current years activity.

2) By looking at each years activity "consecutively", one year after the other, you can sometimes pick up on changing patterns.

To some extent, you could accomplish the same by maintaining a good log book, however, even a good, well maintained log book can not hold a candle to being able to SEE these "activity relationships" displayed on a map.

NOTE: If you're going to invest in a GPS unit, make absolutely sure you get one that can display topo maps. I've got a Garmin GPS III+ with MapSource Topos. Being able to display all the rub, scrape, trail, etc. on a topo map is worth it's weight in gold.

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